Founding of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
The founding of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) occurred in Pulaski, Tennessee. It took place in 1865, immediately after the American Civil War. The KKK was initially formed by a group of Confederate soldiers, led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest, to resist Reconstruction policies and maintain white dominance in the South. The KKK targeted and terrorized African Americans and their white allies, using violence, intimidation, and fear tactics such as burning crosses and lynching. The group eventually spread to other Southern states, including Georgia.
The event is important to Georgia's history because the KKK played a significant role in promoting white supremacy and racial tension during the Reconstruction era and beyond. The KKK's activities in Georgia included the lynching of numerous African Americans and the suppression of their civil rights. Their presence served to reinforce racial divisions and hinder progress towards racial equality in the state. The KKK's influence continued to impact Georgia well into the 20th century, contributing to the state's history of racial discrimination and segregation.